"Curiosity is definitely going to get me dead one of these days. Probably real soon. I'm Gin Blanco. You might know me as the Spider, the most feared assassin in the South. I'm retired now, but trouble still has a way of finding me. Like the other day when two punks tried to rob my popular barbecue joint, the Pork Pit. Then there was the barrage of gunfire on the restaurant. Only, for once, those kill shots weren't aimed at me. They were meant for Violet Fox."

Venom: Elemental Assassin, Book 3

"It's hard to be a badass assassin when a giant is beating the crap out of you. Luckily, I never let pride get in the way of my work. My current mission is personal: annihilate Mab Monroe, the Fire elemental who murdered my family, which means protecting my identity, even if I have to conceal my powerful Stone and Ice magic when I need it most."

Tangled Threads: Elemental Assassin, Book 4

"I'd rather face a dozen lethal assassins any night than deal with something as tricky, convoluted, and fragile as my feelings. But here I am. Gin Blanco, the semi-retired assassin known as the Spider. Hovering outside sexy businessman Owen Grayson's front door like a nervous teenage girl. One thing I like about Owen: he doesn't shy away from my past - or my present. And right now I have a bulls-eye on my forehead."

Spider's Revenge: Elemental Assassin, Book 5

Killing used to be my regular gig, after all. Gin Blanco, aka the Spider, assassin-for-hire. And I was very, very good at it. Now, I'm ready to make the one hit that truly matters: Mab Monroe, the dangerous Fire elemental who murdered my family when I was 13. Oh, I don't think the mission will be easy, but turns out it's a bit more problematic than expected. The bitch knows I'm coming for her. So now I'm up against the army of lethal bounty hunters Mab hired to track me down. She also put a price on my baby sister's head. Keeping Bria safe is my first priority.

By a Thread: Elemental Assassin, Book 6

"When killing people is your job, there’s no such thing as a vacation. Then again, how often does an assassin live long enough to enjoy her retirement? In this line of work, you either get lucky or you get dead. And since I destroyed my nemesis, Mab Monroe, a few weeks ago, all of Ashland’s lowlifes are gunning to make a name for themselves by taking out the lethal Spider—me, Gin Blanco."

Spider's Bite: Elemental Assassin, Book 1

They call me the Spider. I'm the most feared assassin in the South -- when I'm not busy at the Pork Pit cooking up the best barbecue in Ashland. As a Stone elemental, I can hear everything from the whispers of the gravel beneath my feet to the vibrations of the soaring Appalachian Mountains above me. My Ice magic also comes in handy for making the occasional knife. But I don't use my powers on the job unless I absolutely have to. Call it professional pride.

Widow's Web: Elemental Assassin, Book 7

I used to murder people for money, but lately it’s become more of a survival technique. Once an assassin, always an assassin. So much for being plain old Gin Blanco. With every lowlife in Ashland gunning for me, I don’t need another problem, but a new one has come to town anyway. Salina might seem like a sweet Southern belle, but she’s really a dangerous enemy whose water elemental magic can go head-to-head with my own Ice and Stone power.

Deadly Sting: Elemental Assassin, Book 8

It’s Gin Blanco's party - and you’ll cry if she wants you to. Against her better judgment, Gin is coerced into attending a high-society gala with the rest of Ashland's elite underworld. On display: the priceless art collection of her deceased nemesis, Mab Monroe, and an excess of crime-boss swagger. While not comfortable in her fancy attire, Gin gets vastly more interested in the evening’s events when a group of thieves bursts in and tries to seize the valuable, dangerous gems.

Heart of Venom: Elemental Assassin, Book 9

When a terror from the past threatens Gin’s friend and body-disposer, Sophia, Gin will stop at nothing to protect her, even if it means walking straight into a killer’s trap. Meanwhile, the rocky romance between Gin and Owen reaches a turning point - can they reunite and rekindle their love? Or will the things Gin has been forced to do in her line of work as the deadly assassin the Spider keep them apart forever? Assuming, that is, she survives long enough to find out....

The Spider: Elemental Assassin, Book 10

For the first time, the full origin story of Gin Blanco's transformation into the fearsome assassin known as the Spider - book 10 in the red-hot Elemental Assassin urban fantasy series. In a prequel tale, Gin Blanco goes through her paces on the way to become the most feared assassin in the Ashland. Her mentor, Fletcher Lane, is not going to go easy on her - if she’s going to become a fearsome killer, she has to learn to use her elemental Stone and Ice powers alongside old-fashioned human street smarts.

Poison Promise: Elemental Assassin, Book 11

Gin Blanco is hard-nosed, sexy, and lethal. Nicknamed "The Spider," she's a stone elemental assassin who brings her unique mix of magic and tact to every assignment, no matter the target. There's a new drug on the streets of Ashland, and its name "Burn" sums up the potent effect it has on its users. When one of her restaurant employees is threatened by dealers of the drug, Gin steps in to set things straight…

Spider's Trap

One important lesson I've learned in the assassination business is that to be the best, you have to roll with the punches. Now that I'm queen of Ashland's underworld - by default, not by choice - a lot more punches are being thrown my way. But I suppose that's the price of victory for taking down some of the underworld's top dogs. Good thing I have my Ice and Stone magic to help me survive my volatile new position.

Black Widow: Elemental Assassin, Book 12

There’s nothing worse than a cruel, cunning enemy with time to kill - and my murder to plan. With wicked Fire elemental Mab Monroe long gone, you’d think I could finally catch a break. But someone’s always trying to take me down, either as Gin Blanco or my assassin alter-ago. Now along comes the Spider’s new arch-nemesis, the mysteriously named M. M. Monroe, who is gleefully working overtime to trap me in a sticky web of deceit.

Dark Heir: Jane Yellowrock, Book 9

For centuries, the extremely powerful and ruthless vampire witches of the European Council have wandered the Earth, controlling governments, fostering war, creating political conflict, and often leaving absolute destruction in their wake. One of the strongest of them is set to create some havoc in the city of New Orleans, and it's definitely personal.

Blood Cross: Jane Yellowrock, Book 2

Jane Yellowrock is back on the prowl against the children of the night. The vampire council has hired skinwalker Yellowrock to hunt and kill one of their own who has broken sacred ancient rules - but Jane quickly realizes that in a community that is thousands of years old, loyalties run deep.

Broken Soul: Jane Yellowrock, Book 8

Jane Yellowrock is a vampire killer for hire - but other creatures of the night still need to watch their backs....When the Master of the city of New Orleans asks Jane to improve security for a future visit from a delegation of European vampires, she names an exorbitant price - and Leo is willing to pay. That’s because the European vamps want Leo’s territory, and he knows that he needs Jane to prevent a total bloodbath.

Some Girls Bite: Chicagoland Vampires, Book 1

They killed me. They healed me. They changed me. Sure, the life of a graduate student wasn't exactly glamorous, but it was mine. I was doing fine until Chicago's vampires announced their existence to the world---and then a rogue vampire attacked me. But he only got a sip before he was scared away by another bloodsucker...and this one decided that the best way to save my life was to make me the walking undead.

Touch of Frost: Mythos Academy, Book 1

My name is Gwen Frost, and I go to Mythos Academy - a school of myths, magic, and warrior whiz kids, where even the lowliest geek knows how to chop off somebody's head with a sword and Logan Quinn, the hottest Spartan guy in school, also happens to be the deadliest. But lately, things have been weird, even for Mythos. First, mean girl Jasmine Ashton was murdered in the Library of Antiquities. Then, someone stole the Bowl of Tears, a magical artifact that can be used to bring about the second Chaos War. You know, death, destruction and lots of other bad, bad things.

Dead Heat: Alpha and Omega, Book 4

For once, mated werewolves Charles and Anna are not traveling because of Charles' role as his father's enforcer. This time their trip to Arizona is purely personal, as Charles plans to buy Anna a horse for her birthday. Or at least it starts out that way....

Blood Royal: Blood Destiny, Book 5

Xenides is searching for Lissa and out for blood. Nothng less than total destruction is his ultimate objective, beginning with the Vampire Council. After all, much of his elite fighting force was destroyed by Wlodek and his allies on a single night. Now, Xenides must regroup and looks to command the dregs of vampire rogues and human criminals to accomplish his goals.

Bloodfire: Blood Destiny, Book 1

Mack might be, to all intents and purposes, a normal looking human, but she lives with a pack of shapeshifters in Cornwall in rural England after being dumped there by her mother when she was just a young child. She desperately wants to be accepted by her surrogate family, not least because a lot of them hate her for merely being human, but for some reason her blood just won't allow the transformation to occur.

Dark Debt: Chicagoland Vampires, Book 11

When a figure from Ethan's dark past makes a splashy debut in Chicago, Merit and her master don't know whether he's friend or foe. But they'll have to figure it out soon because trouble is brewing in the Windy City. At an exclusive society soirée attended by the upper echelons of the human and supernatural worlds, Merit and Ethan barely stop the assassination of a guest. When the target turns out to be a shady businessman with a criminal edge, Merit suspects a human vendetta. But the assassins have fangs.

Kiss of Frost: Mythos Academy, Book 2

"I’m Gwen Frost, a second-year warrior-in-training at Mythos Academy, and I have no idea how I’m going to survive the rest of the semester. One day, I’m getting schooled in swordplay by the guy who broke my heart — the drop-dead gorgeous Logan, who slays me every time. Then, an invisible archer in the Library of Antiquities decides to use me for target practice. And now, I find out that someone at the academy is really a Reaper bad guy who wants me dead...."

Friday Night Bites: Chicagoland Vampires, Book 2

"Vampires in Chicago! You'd think headlines like that would have provoked the fine citizens of the Windy City to take up arms against us bloodsucking fiends. Instead, 10 months later, we're enjoying a celebrity status reserved for the Hollywood elite - fending off paparazzi only slightly less dangerous than cross- and stake-wielding slayers. Don't get me wrong. Joe Public isn't exactly thrilled to be living side-by-side with the undead, but at least they haven't stormed the castle...yet."

Crimson Frost: Mythos Academy, Book 4

I should have known that my first official date with Logan Quinn was destined to end in disaster. If we’d gotten into a swordfight, or been ambushed by Reapers, I’d have been more prepared. But getting arrested mid-sip at the local coffee hangout? I didn’t see that one coming. I’ve been accused of purposely helping the Reapers free Loki from his prison - and the person leading the charge against me is Linus Quinn, Logan’s dad. The worst part is that pretty much everyone at Mythos Academy thinks I’m guilty. If I’m going to get out of this mess alive, I’ll have to do it myself....

Publisher's Summary

"Curiosity is definitely going to get me dead one of these days. Probably real soon. I'm Gin Blanco. You might know me as the Spider, the most feared assassin in the South. I'm retired now, but trouble still has a way of finding me. Like the other day, when two punks tried to rob my popular barbecue joint, the Pork Pit. Then there was the barrage of gunfire on the restaurant. Only, for once, those kill shots weren't aimed at me. They were meant for Violet Fox.

"Ever since I agreed to help Violet and her grandfather protect their property from an evil coalmining tycoon, Im beginning to wonder if Im really retired. So is Detective Donovan Caine. The only honest cop in Ashland is having a real hard time reconciling his attraction to me with his Boy Scout mentality. And I can barely keep my hands off his sexy body. What can I say? I'm a Stone elemental with a little Ice magic thrown in, but my heart isn't made of solid rock. Luckily, Gin Blanco always gets her man...dead or alive."

What the Critics Say

“The second chapter of the first-person ‘Elemental Assassin’ series is just as hard-edged and compelling as the first. Gin Blanco is a fascinatingly pragmatic character, whose intricate layers are just beginning to unravel. Estep has truly hit the jackpot with this outstanding series!” (Romantic Times)

To be up-front on the matter, I have read all 5 of the books, this and the following 4 as they are very easy to listen to, follow the story line and interesting enough from Story line and Characters to be very enjoyable.

A minor flaw in reasoning by the author is the heroin who is a professional assasin but during the run of the 5 books never completes a fully successful hit. All here Enemy's eventually get done in but as a professional top rated Assasin.....ugh.

Yet, this is just a minor issue, even though it may seem no so. The flow of the story is clear, the characters goo and consitent, the evil dudes a bit predicatble but still good. The Narrator is also brilliant, no ams & ahs or other suprflous noises, just the story!

If you want a good read without too many complexeties, this is it! And so are the following 5 Books! Hope there is more!

Thanks to Lauren Fortgang's mesmerizing voice, Jennifer Estep's poignant first person POV writing style and Gin Blanco's stellar personality; the Elemental Assassin books are rapidly turning into one of the best Urban Fantasy series that I have ever read. So much so, that I find myself forsaking all of the other lovely novels on my shelves because I can't seem to get enough of this amazing story. I rarely step into a heroine's shoes while reading but with this series it's hard not to. Now, whether adopting an assassin's mindset in my daily life is a good thing or a bad thing still remains to be seen but regardless, Web of Lies takes escaping reality to a whole new level.

Usually I only read a handful of audio books a year but after having had Estep's first two stories read to me I can't imagine experiencing the Elemental Assassin world any other way. Nailing the first person POV is not an easy task to begin with but Jennifer makes it look easy. Her incredible writing style paired with Fortgang's superb narration helps to tip the realism factor of these novels over the edge. Taking a break from reading a good book is never easy but Estep makes it damned near impossible with this series. They say that the first step to dealing with an addiction is admitting that you have one well, I full-heartily acknowledge that I have a problem and that I have absolutely no intention of fixing it. The story itself is exceptional, the characters are outstanding and the writing is to die for.

Oddly enough, I found that the earlier parts of Web of Lies were a little dull; I just couldn't get into the McAllister side plot. However, once Jake was "dealt with", the story really picked up from there. I guess that I've come to expect non-stop action from Jennifer Estep and when she actually took the time to focus on some the other important aspects of a good book I got a little impatient. Regardless, once Tobias Dawson showed his ugly mug it was go-go-go until the end. Speaking of the ending, talk about one hell of an "oh shit" moment! It's pretty much a foregone conclusion that I'll be reading Venom next.

Donovan Caine is a douchebag. Other than the scorching sexual chemistry between him and Gin, I had a hard time seeing any long term potential for them. Even though I felt sad for Blanco about the way she was treated and how everything kind of blew up in her face; I think that everyone's better off in the long run. Plus, I barely even know Owen Grayson and I'm already infatuated with him! There's just something about him that makes me go rawr, hubba-hubba! Yes, I realize that those are sound effects and not actual words but you get the idea.

After two stunning installments and more awesomeness on the way; I think it's safe to say that the Elemental Assassin series is a must read. Web of Lies is bursting at the seams with snark, badass-edness and unforgettable characters. The main plot that connects all of these books together promises to be a doozie and I for one can't wait to uncover Jennifer Estep's end game.

In this book, Genevieve Snow aka Gin Blanco come out of Assassin retirement, which was how the last book ended.

A woman, Violet Fox, came to the Pork pit looking for the Tin Man (Fletcher's assassin moniker) and it lead them to Warren T. Star, Fletcher's old best friend, who was in trouble. The desire to protect the Fletcher's legacy and loved ones lead Gin to defend them. With her wing man Flynn, JoJo and Sophia, Gin set up a her plan to deal with Tobias Dawson (a stone elemental) and through it she learns about his partner, the fire elemental who killed her family. BTW, the fire elemental's identity was not a surprise at all. But I look forward to Gin and the fire elemental's showdown.

We finally saw Donovan Caine make a choice about the future. I admire that the author allowed Donovan Caine to remain true to his morals and values. Usually in books like this, the male protagonist adjusts their morals after some incredible sex. Or they look the other way, compromising their position in order to make being with the woman okay. So Bravo for Jennifer Estep and Donovan Caine. At least he was honest with himself, Gin is who Gin is. She is an assassin and won't change. HE had to make a choice on whether to accept Gin for who she is and what she does AND slowly kill who he was inside...or walk away. I don't know how the author will evolve Donovan, but he chose and he will regret it.

On the other hand, Owen Grayson, he is an intriguing man. He definitely is everything Donovan Caine isn't. A man who sees life in shades, not black and white. I look forward to seeing where the author goes with this triangle. He gives Gin "options".

Loved this series, got all four audio books at once and was done in 3 days, I just couldn't stop listening. Lauren Fortgang was a wonderful narrater, I loved her voice, make the book easy to listen too.
Good storyline, lots of visual words, which some don't like, but I do, it adds to the story for me.. Gin, the main girl in the book is one hard, cold ass kicking assassin, I loved her...
Hoping for book 5 sooooooon...

I loved how this one ended. In an Urban fantasy you have to have the big fight and this one gives you an end fight like you wouldn't believe, especially since it served to changed things and move the story forward. All hail Gin Blonco, wish there was actually a Pork Pitt to go to because I'd love to taste that cheese sandwich. Looking forward to the next installment.

Not having her chase a guy (with whom she has spent NO time with). Who is disgusted by everything she has done (so no matter how much she changes for him it won't change her past). And we know how well a relationship works when you change your very nature for someone else. And once again, not repeating what has happened to her family in detail four or five times.

What could Jennifer Estep have done to make this a more enjoyable book for you?

I think I have groused enough

Would you be willing to try another one of Lauren Fortgang’s performances?

Depending on the book, yes. She does womens voices well. She has warmed to her character in this book and has improved her performance.

What reaction did this book spark in you? Anger, sadness, disappointment?

I know it's a series about an assassin. Gin's retired now, and winds up involved in the lives of a family who are beset by a bad guy. I hope it's not a surprise that she ends up killing someone. I just really don't like how she immediately leaps to assassination as the only solution. She tries to explain how nothing else would work, and it's just incredibly weak and nobody calls her on it, not even the straight-arrow cop she's throwing herself at who has the disapproving hots for her. We live in a world where tough things are happening all the time, and a lot of problems are tough, and-we don't just decide to kill people. It was too close to a real-world problem to require this fantasy solution. This weakness together with Gin's ill-placed affections make her hard to respect. Is this a step on a path from amoral killer-for-hire to some sort of defender of the innocent, or is this all Estep has for us? I just didn't like this time with Gin enough to find out.

Estep uses a few repetitive phrases that grate pretty quickly. The goth dwarf and gin joint really need to be retired or used more sparingly. Find some other way to describe Sophia, for the love of all your readers.

Ok let me get the rant part of this review over with….. Bye, Bye Dick-tective Douche Bag! That’s all I will say so that I don’t spoil you guys but those of you that have read this series will know what I mean.

Web of Lies takes place about 2 months after the events in Spider’s Bite. And we find that Gin has been retired after taking a long vacation and is now running the Pork Pit full time. But what does a retired assassin do when she gets bored?

She plans the murder of one of the rich douche bags in town, which is trying to strong arm an old man by having one of his thugs rape and kill the old man’s granddaughter one night on the college campus.

Gin dusts off her skills and goes to work. The whole team from Spider’s Bite, Fin and the Deveraux sisters are back to help Gin with the dirty work. Also detective Donovan Caine is back to get Gin’s warm spot, hot again.

Gin is juggling a few things this time around. She has a few bad guys to deal with, she’s still grieving over Fletcher’s death and not to mention her conflicting feelings about Donovan. Plus Gin is trying to figure out how to hand the news she learned about her past in Spider’s Bite.

After all is said and done, Gin gets her man….well the man she means to murder and plus one. As far as getting her man in her personal life that’s a bit harder for her.

Web of Lies ties up a few things just to build up more things to come in the coming books in the Elemental Series by Jennifer Estep and I for one can’t wait to dig into the next book, Venom. In fact, see y’all botches later. I’m off to start it on audio NOW.

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